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STARBUCK (2012)Movie Reviews
French language comedy about an aimless 42-year-old who learns that he is the biological father of 533 children born as a result of his years spent donating sperm for money. Cast:Patrick Huard, Julie LeBreton, Antoine BertrandDirector:Ken ScottRelease Date:March 22, 2013DVD Release:March 25, 2013From:Entertainment OneRating:RLength:1 hr 49 min
Starbuck (2012) opened in key cities to good reviews that at the same time were mixed. • Dave McGinn wrote in the Toronto Globe & Mail, "...charming... Scott deftly balances David's ridiculous mission with moments of real tenderness, making for several heartfelt moments..." • And MaryAnn Johanson wrote for Flick Filosopher, "...a little bit ewww, and a little bit creepy..." More Reviews Below...
James Rocchi, MSN Movies: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "For every likable moment in Ken Scott's direction and in the screenplay he co-wrote with Martin Petit, there's a groaner or a bland montage or an easy bit of sentiment."(See all of James Rocchi's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 575 words, 03/28/13
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Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News: WEAK(cg) "...a high-concept goof that's hard-pressed to surmount its twee preposterousness.... while its aim is true, the familial feel can't get past the shticky cliches."(See all of Joe Neumaier's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 170 words, 03/22/13
Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times: MODERATE "Is David inspired to become a better man? Let's just say the movie is determined to end in cinema history's biggest group hug.... amiable art-house fluff..."(See all of Amy Nicholson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 233 words, 03/22/13
Kyle Smith, New York Post: MODERATE(cg) "...broad, contrived... geniality and mild laughs aren't enough to sustain interest in this predictable effort, especially given the dragged-out running time."(See all of Kyle Smith's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 219 words, 03/22/13
Roger Moore, Chicago Tribune: VERY GOOD(cg) "...a trip from indifference to kindness, incompetence to responsibility -- a most rewarding reinvention of what 'family' can mean."(See all of Roger Moore's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 558 words, 03/29/13
John Anderson, New York Newsday: VERY GOOD(cg) "Patrick Huard is thoroughly charming and convincing.... Even if some scenes are formulaic, or feel like filler, the upshot is a genuinely feel-good experience."(See all of John Anderson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 314 words, 04/13/13
Mary Houlihan, Chicago Sun-Times: VERY GOOD(cg) "...filled with simple, heartfelt moments.... Scott keeps the story from becoming cloying and sentimental. He is aided by smart, low-key work from his cast..."(See all of Mary Houlihan's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 526 words, 03/29/13
Jon Frosch, Village Voice/LA Weekly: FAIR "...despite its self-consciously contemporary subject matter, reveals a dismayingly retro message: Life has no meaning unless a biological father is front and center."(See all of Jon Frosch's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 257 words, 03/20/13
Bruce DeMara, Toronto Star: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...smart throughout, uproariously funny at times and unexpectedly tender at others. You might just call it a big daddy of a comedy."(See all of Bruce DeMara's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 416 words, 09/23/11
Radheyan Simonpillai, Toronto Now: WEAK(cg) "...completely out of touch with logic and honest consideration for what its scenario might actually involve... Preposterous, manipulative and saccharine..."(See all of Radheyan Simonpillai's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 214 words, 09/22/11
Dave McGinn, Toronto Globe & Mail: VERY GOOD(cg) "...charming... Scott deftly balances David's ridiculous mission with moments of real tenderness, making for several heartfelt moments..."(See all of Dave McGinn's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 115 words, 09/09/11
KEY CITIES (9 Reviews)
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...has charm to burn, thanks mainly to Huard, who brings a sweet affability and groundedness.... it's silly and sappy, but it works..."(See all of Michael O'Sullivan's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 414 words, 03/29/13
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer: OUTSTANDING(cg) "Grounded by Huard's shaggy, affable performance... smart enough to steer clear of schmaltz... a feel-good movie that actually makes you feel good."(See all of Steven Rea's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 327 words, 04/05/13
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star-Tribune: VERY GOOD(cg) "An irresistible if entirely calculated Québécois crowd-pleaser.... The film seems aware when it's being shameless... its goodhearted generosity is utterly endearing."(See all of Colin Covert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 157 words, 03/29/13
Mark Feeney, Boston Globe: WEAK(cg) "...even the broadest shtick can't prevent a movie that features a Busby Berkeley-style group hug from becoming a male weepie. Or a testimonial to Planned Parenthood."(See all of Mark Feeney's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 478 words, 03/29/13
Walter Addiego, San Francisco Chronicle: MODERATE(cg) "Based on a true story.... Though it offers an amiable lead performance by Patrick Huard, the film has more heart than brains."(See all of Walter Addiego's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 60 words, 03/29/13
Soren Andersen, Seattle Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...sweet, often cloyingly so.... The feel-good feeling is at times as suffocating as a great big group hug. And wouldn't you know it? 'Starbuck' even has one of those."(See all of Soren Andersen's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 332 words, 04/12/13
Marc Mohan, Portland Oregonian: MODERATE(cg) "While director Ken Scott wants to provide a feel-good, belated coming-of-age story, David comes off as narcissistic and immature despite his basic harmlessness."(See all of Marc Mohan's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 230 words, 04/12/13
Tom Long, Detroit News: VERY GOOD(cg) "Ken Scott mixes farce and sincerity nicely here while exploring the boundaries of modern family. This is froth, but it's good froth."(See all of Tom Long's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 290 words, 04/12/13
ALTERNATIVE/INDIE PRESS (7 Reviews)
Jon Frosch, Village Voice/LA Weekly: FAIR "...despite its self-consciously contemporary subject matter, reveals a dismayingly retro message: Life has no meaning unless a biological father is front and center."(See all of Jon Frosch's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 257 words, 03/20/13
Sean O'Connell, Cinema Blend: VERY GOOD(cg) "...a far-fetched premise... brought down to Earth by Ken Scott's emotionally upbeat writing, his brisk direction, and Huard's nimble, large-hearted performance..."(See all of Sean O'Connell's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 535 words, 04/23/13
Scott Tobias, AV Club: MODERATE(cg) "Ken Scott knows how to deliver the crowd-pleasing beats, but those beats are so agonizingly familiar that the film virtually writes itself in the second half."(See all of Scott Tobias's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 339 words, 03/28/13
Tomas Hachard, Slant: WEAK(cg) "Rather than getting into particulars, the film favors platitudes -- mostly of the 'lean on me' variety -- that are apt for any family or gender."(See all of Tomas Hachard's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 531 words, 03/16/13
Radheyan Simonpillai, Toronto Now: WEAK(cg) "...completely out of touch with logic and honest consideration for what its scenario might actually involve... Preposterous, manipulative and saccharine..."(See all of Radheyan Simonpillai's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 214 words, 09/22/11
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher: POOR(cg) "All that's left is a nebulous notion about 'family' being 'wonderful' with no evidence whatsoever to back up such a concept... a little bit ewww, and a little bit creepy..."(See all of MaryAnn Johanson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 681 words, 11/23/12
HIGHBROW PRESS (4 Reviews)
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...at once intriguing and grandiose.... All the same, Mr. Huard is endearing in the role of a perpetual adolescent who finally wants to stand up to his responsibilities..."(See all of Joe Morgenstern's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 155 words, 03/22/13
Stephanie Zacharek, NPR: GOOD "Huard's performance may be the key to its effectiveness.... the picture is so breezily warm, without being too insistently ingratiating, that its flaws don't matter much."(See all of Stephanie Zacharek's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 575 words, 03/28/13
Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times: MODERATE "Is David inspired to become a better man? Let's just say the movie is determined to end in cinema history's biggest group hug.... amiable art-house fluff..."(See all of Amy Nicholson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 233 words, 03/22/13
MOVIE INDUSTRY (5 Reviews)
John Anderson, Daily Variety: GOOD "A potent comedy of genetic chaos... a portrait of a man becoming a better one, an idea that resonates despite all the easy jokes and formulaic constructions."(See all of John Anderson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 551 words, 09/15/11
John DeFore, Hollywood Reporter: VERY GOOD "...a crowd-pleasing comedy exploring various meanings of fatherhood in the modern age... a charmer... the laughs don't flag..."(See all of John DeFore's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 349 words, 09/06/12
Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times: MODERATE "Is David inspired to become a better man? Let's just say the movie is determined to end in cinema history's biggest group hug.... amiable art-house fluff..."(See all of Amy Nicholson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 233 words, 03/22/13
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...at once intriguing and grandiose.... All the same, Mr. Huard is endearing in the role of a perpetual adolescent who finally wants to stand up to his responsibilities..."(See all of Joe Morgenstern's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 155 words, 03/22/13
20.3 Percentage Points Average Difference Between Reviews (Norm is 18.4pp; <18.4pp = More Consistent; >18.4pp = More Mixed)
Starbuck (2012)'s reviews are separated by an average 20.3 percentage points. The norm for this measure is 18.4 percentage points. Less than 18.4 indicates more consistent reviews; greater than 18.4 indicates more mixed reviews. In the chart below, each dot represents a review, with the dots at the top more positive than the dots at the bottom. From left to right, the dots represent reviews in big, bigger and biggest publications. Roll over each dot for more detail.
Starbuck (2012) (31 reviews) Roll over dots for each review
Coverage:Starbuck (2012)'s reviews cover 39.1% of potential readers (average is 67.9%). Volume:The film's reviews total 10,587 words involume (average is 20,194 words). Length:The film's reviews average 342 words in length (the norm is 517 words).
Reviews Broke 32 Days Before Release (Norm is 1.2 Release)
Starbuck (2012)'s reviews on average broke 32 days before opening. Norm for this measure is 1.2 hours before. The chart below shows reviews on opening day and the days before and after opening; the left side is earlier and the right side is later. The red bars extending above the horizontal mid-line represent more positive reviews, and the red bars extending below represent more negative reviews. The white space/red bar in the middle is Starbuck (2012)'s opening day. Click on any bar for a list of the reviews for that day.
Starbuck (2012) (31 reviews, click on bars for reviews)
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